For Monday, June 15.

MARQUETTE — State Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, and several members of the Michigan House of Representatives have sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, urging the governor to reopen Unemployment Insurance Agency regional offices and phone lines to help process the backlog of cases and claims resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter comes shortly after the state moved to the next phases of reopening under the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s announcement that SOS branch offices would begin reopening by appointment.

In addition to the letter, Cambensy issued the following statement:

“We’re asking the governor to reopen UIA’s regional offices and phone lines, following the Secretary of State’s lead, to help Michiganders get their claims resolved,” she said. “Our legislative offices can help categorize the easiest claims to resolve and create a list of constituents to schedule for appointments. Because our offices can only request a specialist to assist constituents with their claims, rather than go in and address claims directly, we feel this is the best way to get people their money the fastest.

“It’s become unacceptable that people are waiting up to eight weeks to receive their money, and we feel it’s time for UIA offices to get back out in front of this issue and help the people who need it.”

Honor Flights canceled

The Upper Peninsula Honor Flight said it has received a notice from the National Honor Flight Network that mandates the cancellation of all Honor Flight missions to Washington, D.C., effective immediately.

The notice said that in consideration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance and the serious nature of the public health threat posed by COVID-19, the national board is issuing a mandatory suspension of all Honor Flight trips for the rest of 2020.

“Although we at Upper Peninsula Honor Flight were hoping to avoid adding to the hysteria surrounding COVID-19, we have no option but to postpone Mission 18,” the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight website states.

It said it would be in contact with all confirmed passengers for Mission 18 via email or telephone to discuss the tentatively rescheduled trip.

“Rest assured that we at Upper Peninsula Honor Flight will never stop until we have given each and every one of our heroes their well-deserved, and long-overdue, Tour of Honor,” the website reads.

The Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization created to honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices and transport them to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials.

Refuge plans fishing event

With the cancellation of this year’s Children’s Fishing Day event at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, the refuge has put together an alternative version of the event and invites the public to participate while adhering to COVID-19 guidance from national, state and local public health authorities.

This year’s event, scheduled from Sunday through July 5, will be practiced “Northern pike-style,” meaning participants are encouraged to be more solitary, staying close to particular territories and not gathering in large groups.

People can participate in any, or all, of three event categories from their homes or neighborhoods. Activities may be completed at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/seney/2020_fishing_event.html, which contains event details, and at the visitor center kiosk while supplies last.

Activities include taking photographs of anglers and their fish, sharing meals made from their catches and snapping photos of the largest northern pike or yellow perch caught between June 21 and July 5.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net